Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2016 - 8

hospitalrounds FIRST PERSON From volunteer to neurologist This doctor's career was inspired by her days as a hospital volunteer. By Cynthia Keator, M.D. 8 CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL S TODAY Summer 2016 Jeremy Enlow W hen I walk the halls that overlook the atrium, I remember the awe Cook Children's Medical Center gave me many years ago. In 1994, when I was 14, I began my volunteer work as a titleholder with the Miss Texas organization. Along with many of the other titleholders, I performed my talent-ventriloquism- in the atrium for patients. My fondest memory is being in the atrium performing, looking up and seeing all the children and their parents looking down and watching. It was so daunting then, and now I walk past it all the time. In 1998, through an internship program during my senior year in high school, I spent the spring semester at Cook Children's in the Hematology/Oncology Department, which held a special place in my heart. I had a cousin who had battled cancer and was treated by physicians at the hospital. The medical center had such an impact on me, that after completing the internship, I continued to volunteer with the organization. When people ask me if I always wanted to be a doctor, I tell them I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. We all have a childhood dream of what we want to be when we grow up. I always wanted to help people, especially children. As a volunteer, I tried to ask questions and absorb as much knowledge as possible to prepare for medical school. I learned the importance of listening to patients and their families, and I saw science come to life. It wasn't just about studying words in a book; it was seeing how medicine and medical care actually worked. Volunteering here I also realized how little I knew. Just regular biology or chemistry class in high school is Cynthia Keator, M.D., works with a patient at Cook Childrenʼs Medical Center. nothing compared to what caregivers do in real life. I learned that being a doctor was about more than just being smart. It really takes a lot of compassion and motivation. Seeing the interaction of the doctors and nurses with the patients, I knew there was so much more to learn than what was in a textbook. By volunteering, I developed an interest in working with children, especially those needing chronic or long-term care. In neurology, we care for many children who require close follow-up through adulthood. Of course, I'm interested in the pathophysiology of neurological conditions, especially epilepsy, but, what I also love about my field is that I've become part of the team and have a chance to truly get to know families. Now, as I walk through the atrium, I see new volunteers learning those same life lessons. I see volunteers of all ages who choose to spend time with our patients. I'm thankful so many people want to help. Everyone should volunteer-it's good for the soul. Working at Cook Children's now is surreal because it was everything I aspired to do as a child. It's really cool to look back and say, "Wow, I did it." Cynthia Keator, M.D., is a pediatric neurologist and epileptologist at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. This piece originally published at checkupnewsroom.com. Send questions or comments to magazine@childrenshospitals.org. childrenshospital s.org http://www.checkupnewsroom.com http://www.childrenshospitals.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2016

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Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2016 - Cover1
Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2016 - Cover2
Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2016 -  Contents
Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2016 - 2
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